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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
Smith on the money
QB puts leadership on display with barrage of four touchdown passes
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
- BUCKEYE BACK TALK: Enough waiting ... what's your prediction on Ohio State vs. Michigan?
- BUCKEYE BACK TALK: Who is your pick to be the surprise "difference-maker" in The Game?
- BUCKEYE BACK TALK: If the Ohio State-Michigan game is a close one, should there be a rematch for the national-championship game?
- BUCKEYE BACK TALK: Your team faces a must-win game, who's your pick to coach?
- 2006 Ohio State football highlights DVD Pre-ordering now available!</I>
- Vote for your all-time Buckeyes (and maybe win two tickets to The Game!)</I>
Ohio State quarterback and Heisman hopeful Troy Smith fends off Northwestern defenders on the run.
EVANSTON, Ill. ? There are many pluses when a defense grabs turnovers the way Ohio State did yesterday, but defensive tackle David Patterson named one that others might not have guessed.
"I just enjoy getting to watch the best player in the country when I?m off the field," Patterson said.
He was referring to quarterback Troy Smith, who took one more step toward the Heisman Trophy by matching his career high with four touchdown passes in cold, windswept Ryan Field. With 26 touchdown passes this season, he is three shy of the school record Bobby Hoying set in 1995.
With the defense serving up five turnovers, Smith cooked for 185 yards on 12-of-19 passing. His only errant throw was an arching pass toward Ted Ginn Jr. that the wind held up for Sherrick McManis to intercept late in the first half.
But after Jay Richardson recovered a fumble caused by Malcolm Jenkins two plays later, Smith stood in the face of an all-out Northwestern blitz and went to Ginn again, this time down the left side.
"When I turned around, it was right there," Ginn said of the ball. "And I just stuck my hands out and kept it close to me."
It was a touchdown play that Ohio State fans were used to seeing. As for Smith?s view: "Actually, I was getting hit right in the mouth."
Maybe that?s why, when asked to grade his performance ? which also included some tough scrambling for yards ? he hesitated.
"I don?t usually like to grade myself unless I?m asked the question," Smith said. "But I?d probably give myself a strong B."
Ginn begged to differ.
"Troy is always going to be an A player to me, because there?s a lot of things a quarterback goes through," Ginn said.
Smith has rarely been sharper than in the past two games against Michigan. Now he is poised to lead his team into The Game to beat all games, with No. 1 Ohio State playing host to No. 2 Michigan.
To be a part of it, "It really blows my mind," Smith said, but he smiled as he said it.
[email protected]
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tedginn05
Legend
Who see's Troy breaking the single season record for TD passes?
The record is currently 29 by Bobby Hoying. Troy currently is in 2nd place with 26 TD passes. Probably should've been 27 if Pittman doesn't fumble on the goal line.
Two more games left to get 3 to tie the record, or 4 to break the record. I think its very possible.
The record is currently 29 by Bobby Hoying. Troy currently is in 2nd place with 26 TD passes. Probably should've been 27 if Pittman doesn't fumble on the goal line.
Two more games left to get 3 to tie the record, or 4 to break the record. I think its very possible.
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Onebuckfan
classof76
Above all the things TS does his no.1 asset is he is a PLAYMAKER. His stats are secondary to his ability to create a play for a first down or TD. Troy is more like and Elway rather than a Marino. He finds a way and the team rallies around him, receivers don't quit on a play and the line will hold their block longer or hit another rusher because they have cconfidence in Troy. That is priceless to an offense and why I think tOSU is going to Glendale!
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HIGHER LEARNING
By David Albright, ESPN.com
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Good thing Troy Smith doesn't have a Heisman vote.
If he did, the Ohio State quarterback might not put himself in the running for college football's highest individual honor, which by all accounts is his to lose as the 2006 season heads into its final weeks.
After the senior dissected Northwestern's secondary for four touchdowns Saturday on 12 of 19 passing for 185 yards -- en route to a 54-10 win -- he downplayed his success and his role in the Buckeyes' 11-0 start.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Professor Smith is a harsh grader."I'd probably give myself a strong B," said Smith, when asked to grade himself on the season. "I think I've played alright. There's a lot of things that you don't see that I could do better. I would hope that a humble player would talk about things that he can still do better. I want to be the best that has ever played the game."
OK, we'll bite. How exactly do you improve upon what to this point has been an unbeaten wire-to-wire job at No. 1 that now includes the nation's longest current unbeaten streak at 18 games and a 24-2 career record as a starter?
"Decision making as a quarterback is everything," Smith said. "Every time you drop back with the ball or every time you come up to the line and you read a coverage, the decision-making process that you go through develops you into the kind of player that you want to be."
The one bad decision for Smith on Saturday resulted in an interception late in the first half. With the Buckeyes on their own 40, Smith tried to connect with Ted Ginn Jr. up the right sideline but the ball may have gotten caught up in the gusting winds and it was intercepted by Sherrick McManis in front of Ginn on the NU 24.
It was Smith's fourth interception of the season, but Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was more than willing to take the blame for the turnover.
"[Troy] was in control and command and that is what we like," Tressel said. "He knew what was going on the whole time. He had the one throw that was probably a poor call, asking him to throw a home run into the wind. That call was probably on me."
Smith quickly made amends for himself and his coach by finding Ginn up the left sideline for a 34-yard TD with just :03 left in the half to give the Buckeyes a 33-10 lead.
"He is very aware of what it going on, but sometimes it looks like he ad-libs," Tressel said. "He is only ad-libbing because he knows what [the defense] is doing and he knows where to find someone."
For the season, Smith is 170-of-256 for 2,191 yards with 26 TDs and a 168.69 passer rating. He also has rushed for 221 yards and 1 TD.
But in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of college football, it could be all for naught if No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) can't solve No. 2 Michigan (11-0) and its highly touted defense in Columbus on Saturday (ABC, 3:30 ET).
"I've never known both teams to be undefeated coming into this game," Smith said. "It's bigger than anything I've known in the past. And I'm actually a part of it.
"It really blows my mind."
Some, including many Heisman Trophy voters, would say the same about Smith's performance this season.
Link
By David Albright, ESPN.com
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Good thing Troy Smith doesn't have a Heisman vote.
If he did, the Ohio State quarterback might not put himself in the running for college football's highest individual honor, which by all accounts is his to lose as the 2006 season heads into its final weeks.
After the senior dissected Northwestern's secondary for four touchdowns Saturday on 12 of 19 passing for 185 yards -- en route to a 54-10 win -- he downplayed his success and his role in the Buckeyes' 11-0 start.
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Professor Smith is a harsh grader."I'd probably give myself a strong B," said Smith, when asked to grade himself on the season. "I think I've played alright. There's a lot of things that you don't see that I could do better. I would hope that a humble player would talk about things that he can still do better. I want to be the best that has ever played the game."
OK, we'll bite. How exactly do you improve upon what to this point has been an unbeaten wire-to-wire job at No. 1 that now includes the nation's longest current unbeaten streak at 18 games and a 24-2 career record as a starter?
"Decision making as a quarterback is everything," Smith said. "Every time you drop back with the ball or every time you come up to the line and you read a coverage, the decision-making process that you go through develops you into the kind of player that you want to be."
The one bad decision for Smith on Saturday resulted in an interception late in the first half. With the Buckeyes on their own 40, Smith tried to connect with Ted Ginn Jr. up the right sideline but the ball may have gotten caught up in the gusting winds and it was intercepted by Sherrick McManis in front of Ginn on the NU 24.
It was Smith's fourth interception of the season, but Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was more than willing to take the blame for the turnover.
"[Troy] was in control and command and that is what we like," Tressel said. "He knew what was going on the whole time. He had the one throw that was probably a poor call, asking him to throw a home run into the wind. That call was probably on me."
Smith quickly made amends for himself and his coach by finding Ginn up the left sideline for a 34-yard TD with just :03 left in the half to give the Buckeyes a 33-10 lead.
"He is very aware of what it going on, but sometimes it looks like he ad-libs," Tressel said. "He is only ad-libbing because he knows what [the defense] is doing and he knows where to find someone."
For the season, Smith is 170-of-256 for 2,191 yards with 26 TDs and a 168.69 passer rating. He also has rushed for 221 yards and 1 TD.
But in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of college football, it could be all for naught if No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) can't solve No. 2 Michigan (11-0) and its highly touted defense in Columbus on Saturday (ABC, 3:30 ET).
"I've never known both teams to be undefeated coming into this game," Smith said. "It's bigger than anything I've known in the past. And I'm actually a part of it.
"It really blows my mind."
Some, including many Heisman Trophy voters, would say the same about Smith's performance this season.
Link
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CPD
TWO-QUESTION INTERVIEW
Monday, November 13, 2006
In honor of Smith's final home game as a Buckeye, we're going back to a preseason interview to look at Smith's fu ture. He's always shown a sharp sense of the his tory of great NFL quarterbacks, and he isn't afraid to drop a Fran Tarkenton reference on you. His favorite all-time quarterbacks are Warren Moon and Dan Marino. Here's a bit more of the Buckeyes quarterback, who has two college games left, talking about quarterbacking in the pros.
Q: What NFL quarterbacks do you enjoy watching the most?
A: Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Trent Green.
Q: Whom do you try to emulate?
A: McNabb. His whole fluidity in the offense, he's probably one of the most fluid quarterbacks you'll see, from his throwing motion, to his drops. He looks the most comfortable to me, besides Brady, in his drops. Peyton, everyone knows how important the cerebral part of the game is.
Trent Green, I don't think he gets nearly the amount of respect he should because he's wheeling and dealing all the time, and he has one of the best arms out there - he can make all the throws. And Brady, if you don't try to emulate a winner, you won't be a winner.
And Mike Vick, what can you say, I think if he wants to be the best passing quarterback in the league, he can do that, but he uses his feet in a lot of situations. And he, hands down, is the fastest quarterback.
The only quarterback I've talked to in person is Steve McNair, and that's another one I should have mentioned. One of the most important things I can say for McNair is his toughness. He's probably the toughest quarterback in the NFL."
- Doug Lesmerises
TWO-QUESTION INTERVIEW
Monday, November 13, 2006
In honor of Smith's final home game as a Buckeye, we're going back to a preseason interview to look at Smith's fu ture. He's always shown a sharp sense of the his tory of great NFL quarterbacks, and he isn't afraid to drop a Fran Tarkenton reference on you. His favorite all-time quarterbacks are Warren Moon and Dan Marino. Here's a bit more of the Buckeyes quarterback, who has two college games left, talking about quarterbacking in the pros.
Q: What NFL quarterbacks do you enjoy watching the most?
A: Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Trent Green.
Q: Whom do you try to emulate?
A: McNabb. His whole fluidity in the offense, he's probably one of the most fluid quarterbacks you'll see, from his throwing motion, to his drops. He looks the most comfortable to me, besides Brady, in his drops. Peyton, everyone knows how important the cerebral part of the game is.
Trent Green, I don't think he gets nearly the amount of respect he should because he's wheeling and dealing all the time, and he has one of the best arms out there - he can make all the throws. And Brady, if you don't try to emulate a winner, you won't be a winner.
And Mike Vick, what can you say, I think if he wants to be the best passing quarterback in the league, he can do that, but he uses his feet in a lot of situations. And he, hands down, is the fastest quarterback.
The only quarterback I've talked to in person is Steve McNair, and that's another one I should have mentioned. One of the most important things I can say for McNair is his toughness. He's probably the toughest quarterback in the NFL."
- Doug Lesmerises
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OZone
November 13, 2006 10:35 AM
November 13, 2006 10:35 AM
Football: Troy Smith is four-for-11.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Troy Smith[/FONT]
Smith was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in 11 weeks this season for his play against Northwestern.
It is Smith's fifth such Big Ten award in his career. Smith equaled his career-high of four touchdown passes against the Wildcats while completing 63.2 per cent of his passes for 185 yards despite not playing in the fourth quarter. Smith shared this week's honor with Penn State running back Tony Smith.
Other Big ten honorees this week included Minnesota defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg and Michigan return specialist Steve Breaston.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Troy Smith[/FONT]
It is Smith's fifth such Big Ten award in his career. Smith equaled his career-high of four touchdown passes against the Wildcats while completing 63.2 per cent of his passes for 185 yards despite not playing in the fourth quarter. Smith shared this week's honor with Penn State running back Tony Smith.
Other Big ten honorees this week included Minnesota defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg and Michigan return specialist Steve Breaston.
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OSU Picture Archive
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (10) lines up behind center Doug Datish (50) during a college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. Saturday. (Rex Arbogast, AP)
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (10) throws against Northwestern University during a college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (10) lines up behind center Doug Datish (50) during a college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. Saturday. (Rex Arbogast, AP)
Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (10) throws against Northwestern University during a college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Last edited:
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:osu:
Link
O'BRIEN WATCH
MICHIGAN NEXT TEST FOR SMITH
By Wendell Barnhouse
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Star-Telegram college football writer Wendell Barnhouse assesses the top candidates for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
The three finalists will be announced Tuesday.
1. Troy Smith, Ohio State: Faces a season-making game Saturday against No. 2 Michigan.
2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame: The Irish senior has made a strong run in the past three games and is nipping at Smith's heels.
3. Colt Brennan, Hawaii: Because most of his games finish in the middle of the night, few know Brennan has 43 touchdown passes and leads the nation in passing efficiency.
Waiting list: Colt McCoy, Texas; Kevin Kolb,
Houston; John Beck, BYU; Chad Henne, Michigan;
Erik Ainge, Tennessee;
Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh; Nate Longshore, California;
John Stocco, Wisconsin; Chris Leak, Florida.
O'BRIEN WATCH
MICHIGAN NEXT TEST FOR SMITH
By Wendell Barnhouse
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Star-Telegram college football writer Wendell Barnhouse assesses the top candidates for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
The three finalists will be announced Tuesday.
1. Troy Smith, Ohio State: Faces a season-making game Saturday against No. 2 Michigan.
2. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame: The Irish senior has made a strong run in the past three games and is nipping at Smith's heels.
3. Colt Brennan, Hawaii: Because most of his games finish in the middle of the night, few know Brennan has 43 touchdown passes and leads the nation in passing efficiency.
Waiting list: Colt McCoy, Texas; Kevin Kolb,
Houston; John Beck, BYU; Chad Henne, Michigan;
Erik Ainge, Tennessee;
Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh; Nate Longshore, California;
John Stocco, Wisconsin; Chris Leak, Florida.
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Link
HEISMAN TROPHY FAVORITE
Ohio State QB is hot and cool
Smith, intense and calm, set for Michigan
TEDDY GREENSTEIN
Chicago Tribune
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Fire and ice. Maybe that sums up why Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith plays his best against Michigan.
Smith is always cool in the huddle. And he can be volcanic when he makes an error on the field.
"I hate throwing interceptions," he said Monday. "That's my pet peeve in football. The person who makes the interception, I want to hit him so hard because I really want the ball back. And then I hate watching it on film."
Smith has never had to watch film of himself throwing an interception against Michigan. He has attempted 60 throws against the Wolverines, and not one has landed in enemy arms.
Other quarterbacks would have panicked in last year's game. With a Michigan crowd of 111,591 smelling victory and a BCS berth on the line, Smith rallied the Buckeyes from a 21-12 deficit with less than eight minutes to play. He engineered touchdown drives of 69 and 88 yards to lead his team to a 25-21 victory.
"I never once thought we were going to lose the game," center Doug Datish said. "Troy exudes that confidence."
He had gained that confidence one year earlier during an even more stunning performance against Michigan.
Smith barely played in Ohio State's first five games of the 2004 season. And after five starts, he still hadn't crossed the benchmark of 200 passing yards in a game. But against Michigan he was unstoppable, running for 145 yards and throwing for 241 in a 37-21 win.
"It's not just me who is 2-0 versus Michigan," Smith said. "My success is credited to everyone around me."
Smith is 24-2 as a starter, including 11-0 this season. Ohio State ranks first in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 35.8 points per game.
Smith's individual stats are also exceptional: 26 touchdown passes, four interceptions and a 66.4 percent completion rate. It adds up to the nation's sixth-best passing efficiency rating.
Although he's the Heisman Trophy favorite with just one regular-season game left in his career, Smith has only one thought this week -- beat Michigan.
"(The Heisman) is probably the last thing in my world right now," he said "Everything else is so much more important than that. I think that's a team award anyway."
HEISMAN TROPHY FAVORITE
Ohio State QB is hot and cool
Smith, intense and calm, set for Michigan
TEDDY GREENSTEIN
Chicago Tribune
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Fire and ice. Maybe that sums up why Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith plays his best against Michigan.
Smith is always cool in the huddle. And he can be volcanic when he makes an error on the field.
"I hate throwing interceptions," he said Monday. "That's my pet peeve in football. The person who makes the interception, I want to hit him so hard because I really want the ball back. And then I hate watching it on film."
Smith has never had to watch film of himself throwing an interception against Michigan. He has attempted 60 throws against the Wolverines, and not one has landed in enemy arms.
Other quarterbacks would have panicked in last year's game. With a Michigan crowd of 111,591 smelling victory and a BCS berth on the line, Smith rallied the Buckeyes from a 21-12 deficit with less than eight minutes to play. He engineered touchdown drives of 69 and 88 yards to lead his team to a 25-21 victory.
"I never once thought we were going to lose the game," center Doug Datish said. "Troy exudes that confidence."
He had gained that confidence one year earlier during an even more stunning performance against Michigan.
Smith barely played in Ohio State's first five games of the 2004 season. And after five starts, he still hadn't crossed the benchmark of 200 passing yards in a game. But against Michigan he was unstoppable, running for 145 yards and throwing for 241 in a 37-21 win.
"It's not just me who is 2-0 versus Michigan," Smith said. "My success is credited to everyone around me."
Smith is 24-2 as a starter, including 11-0 this season. Ohio State ranks first in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 35.8 points per game.
Smith's individual stats are also exceptional: 26 touchdown passes, four interceptions and a 66.4 percent completion rate. It adds up to the nation's sixth-best passing efficiency rating.
Although he's the Heisman Trophy favorite with just one regular-season game left in his career, Smith has only one thought this week -- beat Michigan.
"(The Heisman) is probably the last thing in my world right now," he said "Everything else is so much more important than that. I think that's a team award anyway."
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Dispatch
In Troy they trust
Strong-willed OSU quarterback has an ?X factor? that makes him a winner
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Story by Ken Gordon
Photo by Neal C. Lauron THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Among his teammates, it?s a given that quarterback Troy Smith will lead Ohio State to victory over Michigan.
They?ve seen him perform on the biggest stages enough to believe in him with an unquestioned devotion.
And if Smith delivers again on Saturday, one man will know why. It won?t be for all the reasons others might talk about: his decision-making, strong arm or quick feet.
Ted Ginn Sr., Smith?s high-school coach, thinks that his strong will to win developed during his troubled upbringing on Cleveland?s east side.
Smith spent several years in foster care and later was kicked out of Lakewood St. Edward High School for elbowing an opposing player during a basketball game.
That?s how he landed in Ginn?s program at Glen- ville High School, an inner-city public school. The coach saw a young man with some issues, but one who already had chosen to channel his past into a fierce competitiveness.
"He always had a strong mind, because he had to compete where he was raised," Ginn said. "Being in a foster situation, you have two choices: You can feel sorry for yourself and never compete again, or you can really take the situation and be a better person from it.
"I tried to convince him that he was blessed, that this hand he was dealt, he had a chance to throw his hand in and reshuffle and get a better hand. And he can show his thanks by his performance."
He has done that. Smith is 4-0 in the four biggest games he has started: Two Michigan contests, the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame in January and a victory in September at Texas, which was ranked second in the nation behind Ohio State at the time.
Overall, Smith is 24-2 as a starter, including 18 straight victories, the nation?s longest current winning streak.
That track record has made him the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. It also has inspired confidence.
"We feel like, with Troy, we can?t lose," said receiver Brian Hartline.
Smith wasn?t always the unquestioned leader, even after taking over for Justin Zwick midway through the 2004 season.
After a dazzling performance that season against Michigan, in which Smith accounted for 386 total yards in a 37-21 upset victory, he was suspended for two games for violating NCAA rules.
That suspension humbled him, he said at the time. It also seemed to change him. Before his rebuke for taking a $500 gift from a booster, Smith was sometimes outspoken. He had a chip on his shoulder. He could be distrustful, rebellious, even petulant.
Now, at least in public, he stays in lock step with what head coach Jim Tressel preaches: It?s about the team. Don?t draw attention to yourself. Play within the system.
One thing hasn?t changed: Smith still has a forceful personality. Last summer, he was adamant that his teammates stay in Columbus and participate in informal workouts.
Not afraid to get in teammates? faces, he sometimes is seen in animated conversation with a Buckeye on the field, even after that player makes a nice play.
Teammates follow because Smith produces. The team?s top player has earned the right to holler when things don?t go right.
Guard T.J. Downing says that he thinks everything Smith has endured has molded his leadership abilities and propelled him to success in big games.
"I think it?s just his determination," Downing said. "Troy has been determined ever since he came out of high school, when he got booted out of (St. Edward) and he had to go to Glenville, and he got recruited as an athlete and they said he couldn?t play quarterback.
"I think his determination in his heart is so strong and so powerful that he was determined not to let any obstacle stop him, and Michigan is really just another obstacle for him."
His final two games in 2005 were masterly. Against Michigan, Smith brought the Buckeyes back from a nine-point fourthquarter deficit, driving them downfield twice for touchdowns in a 25-21 victory.
In the Fiesta Bowl, Smith threw for 342 yards in a 34-20 win as OSU piled up the most yards ever surrendered by the Irish (617).
And in the stifling Texas heat, Smith coolly and efficiently directed a 24-7 win over the Longhorns.
Buckeye players struggle to describe what it is about Smith that enables him to come up big in the biggest games.
"There?s just something like an ?X factor.? There?s no way you can measure it," center Doug Datish said.
Hartline said, "It?s a trait you can?t really teach."
Smith credits much of his success to his teammates. "It?s not just (that) I?m 2-0 against (Michigan); it?s everybody that has played on this field is also 2-0," he said.
But the 22-year-old, who graduated with a communication degree in June, takes pride in rising to the occasion.
" ... big players rise up in the big games," he said. "I try to ... give thanks and praise to everybody else and, hopefully, I?ll be able to do my job."
[email protected]
In Troy they trust
Strong-willed OSU quarterback has an ?X factor? that makes him a winner
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Story by Ken Gordon
Photo by Neal C. Lauron THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Among his teammates, it?s a given that quarterback Troy Smith will lead Ohio State to victory over Michigan.
They?ve seen him perform on the biggest stages enough to believe in him with an unquestioned devotion.
And if Smith delivers again on Saturday, one man will know why. It won?t be for all the reasons others might talk about: his decision-making, strong arm or quick feet.
Ted Ginn Sr., Smith?s high-school coach, thinks that his strong will to win developed during his troubled upbringing on Cleveland?s east side.
Smith spent several years in foster care and later was kicked out of Lakewood St. Edward High School for elbowing an opposing player during a basketball game.
That?s how he landed in Ginn?s program at Glen- ville High School, an inner-city public school. The coach saw a young man with some issues, but one who already had chosen to channel his past into a fierce competitiveness.
"He always had a strong mind, because he had to compete where he was raised," Ginn said. "Being in a foster situation, you have two choices: You can feel sorry for yourself and never compete again, or you can really take the situation and be a better person from it.
"I tried to convince him that he was blessed, that this hand he was dealt, he had a chance to throw his hand in and reshuffle and get a better hand. And he can show his thanks by his performance."
He has done that. Smith is 4-0 in the four biggest games he has started: Two Michigan contests, the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame in January and a victory in September at Texas, which was ranked second in the nation behind Ohio State at the time.
Overall, Smith is 24-2 as a starter, including 18 straight victories, the nation?s longest current winning streak.
That track record has made him the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. It also has inspired confidence.
"We feel like, with Troy, we can?t lose," said receiver Brian Hartline.
Smith wasn?t always the unquestioned leader, even after taking over for Justin Zwick midway through the 2004 season.
After a dazzling performance that season against Michigan, in which Smith accounted for 386 total yards in a 37-21 upset victory, he was suspended for two games for violating NCAA rules.
That suspension humbled him, he said at the time. It also seemed to change him. Before his rebuke for taking a $500 gift from a booster, Smith was sometimes outspoken. He had a chip on his shoulder. He could be distrustful, rebellious, even petulant.
Now, at least in public, he stays in lock step with what head coach Jim Tressel preaches: It?s about the team. Don?t draw attention to yourself. Play within the system.
One thing hasn?t changed: Smith still has a forceful personality. Last summer, he was adamant that his teammates stay in Columbus and participate in informal workouts.
Not afraid to get in teammates? faces, he sometimes is seen in animated conversation with a Buckeye on the field, even after that player makes a nice play.
Teammates follow because Smith produces. The team?s top player has earned the right to holler when things don?t go right.
Guard T.J. Downing says that he thinks everything Smith has endured has molded his leadership abilities and propelled him to success in big games.
"I think it?s just his determination," Downing said. "Troy has been determined ever since he came out of high school, when he got booted out of (St. Edward) and he had to go to Glenville, and he got recruited as an athlete and they said he couldn?t play quarterback.
"I think his determination in his heart is so strong and so powerful that he was determined not to let any obstacle stop him, and Michigan is really just another obstacle for him."
His final two games in 2005 were masterly. Against Michigan, Smith brought the Buckeyes back from a nine-point fourthquarter deficit, driving them downfield twice for touchdowns in a 25-21 victory.
In the Fiesta Bowl, Smith threw for 342 yards in a 34-20 win as OSU piled up the most yards ever surrendered by the Irish (617).
And in the stifling Texas heat, Smith coolly and efficiently directed a 24-7 win over the Longhorns.
Buckeye players struggle to describe what it is about Smith that enables him to come up big in the biggest games.
"There?s just something like an ?X factor.? There?s no way you can measure it," center Doug Datish said.
Hartline said, "It?s a trait you can?t really teach."
Smith credits much of his success to his teammates. "It?s not just (that) I?m 2-0 against (Michigan); it?s everybody that has played on this field is also 2-0," he said.
But the 22-year-old, who graduated with a communication degree in June, takes pride in rising to the occasion.
" ... big players rise up in the big games," he said. "I try to ... give thanks and praise to everybody else and, hopefully, I?ll be able to do my job."
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